URGENT UPDATE: A man in Texas has been arrested for making chilling terroristic threats against Zohran Mamdani, a Democratic candidate for mayor in New York City. The arrest comes in the wake of a disturbing trend of threats against public officials, raising urgent concerns about the safety of candidates in today’s political climate.
Authorities confirm that Jeremy Fistel has been indicted on 22 counts of making terroristic threats as a hate crime, following a series of alarming voicemail and written messages sent to Mamdani. The Queens District Attorney’s office announced the charges, emphasizing the seriousness of such threats in a statement today.
Fistel’s threats included a harrowing voicemail left on June 18, where he ominously warned Mamdani, “Go on and start your car. See what happens… Watch your f***ing back every f***ing second.” Additionally, on July 8, Fistel submitted a message via Mamdani’s campaign website, expressing a desire for violence against the assemblyman and his family.
This shocking incident follows the recent assassination of conservative figure Charlie Kirk at a college event, igniting a national conversation about the safety of public figures and the implications of online harassment.
District Attorney Melinda Katz stated, “We take threats of violence against any office holder extremely seriously. There is no room for hate or bigotry in our political discourse.” She noted the collaborative efforts of the NYPD, FBI, and US Marshals Service in bringing Fistel to justice.
Mamdani’s campaign responded to the threats, highlighting the pervasive climate of hate in society. “We cannot and will not be intimidated by racism, Islamophobia, and hate,” the campaign said. “New York must be a city where every single person is safe, protected, and at home.”
Fistel was arraigned today and pleaded not guilty to the charges. He faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted on the top count. As the case unfolds, he is scheduled to return to court on November 19, 2025.
This ongoing situation underscores the critical need for vigilance and protection of those in public service. As threats against officials become more prevalent, the discourse around safety and hate in politics must remain at the forefront. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
